Corangamite candidates vie for your votes

By
CLARE QUIRK

Oct. 13, 2012, 4 a.m.

The Coastal ward, the North Ward and the South-Central Ward of Corangamite Shire Council are uncontested this year.

The Coastal ward, the North Ward and the South-Central Ward of Corangamite Shire Council are uncontested this year. Peter Harkin will be elected to the Coastal Ward, Geoff Smith will be re-elected to the North Ward and Jo Beard will be re-elected to the South-Central Ward.

Central ward candidates

CHRIS O’CONNOR

Cr Chris O’Connor says pressure from federal and state budgets will be one of the major challenges Corangamite Shire Council faces during the next council term.

First elected in 2008, Cr O’Connor said the impact from the federal and state budgets will make it harder for the council to attract grants.

He also pointed to Corangamite Shire Council’s bill of $2.9 million for the statewide superannuation scheme shortfall, which he said would cause more financial pressures for the council.

“That’s really the basis of my concerns,” he said.

“Two areas where I think council can kick goals are providing cheap industrial land and better aged care services.”

Cr O’Connor said the municipality had good industrial land available and the council needed to work with developers to open the land up.

“Industrial land doesn’t need to be in Warrnambool,” he said.

“We have cheap industrial land. We need to work with developers to free it up.”